According to the author, why does the adult American Negro female emerge as such a formidable character? Chapters 34-36

Maya notes that the black female must contend with a myriad of oppression and injustice from both black and white communities. These pressures make the black woman resilient.

The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power.